As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Allegation" means:

(a) a statement or accusation of misconduct made against a public safety officer to POST staff or the council by anyone;

(b) a statement or accusation of misconduct against a public safety officer made by the POST executive director acting upon any credible knowledge, information, or belief;

(c) the document or statement, prior to the notice of agency action, that initiates the informal revocation, suspension, or sanction proceeding against an officer.

(2) "Certification" or "certificate" means any basic or advanced standards and training certification granted by the council after completion of the specific requirements as set forth in these rules.

(3) "Contested case" means:

(a) a civil administrative proceeding that progresses pursuant to notice and hearing as outlined in MAPA and these rules; or

(b) a proceeding initiated by a request for a hearing from the officer after the officer has received a notice of agency action imposing sanction, suspension, or revocation by the director when the case could not be settled at the preliminary stage of review, investigation, or informal proceeding.

(4) "Council" or "POST Council" or "POST" means the full 13-member public safety officer standards and training council as created by 2-15-2029, MCA.

(5) "Director" or "executive director" means the executive director of the public safety officer standards and training council.

(6) "Employing authority," "employing agency," or "governmental unit" means any entity that is statutorily empowered with administration, supervision, hiring or firing authority, training, or oversight over a public safety agency or officer. This may include but is not limited to: the chief of police, mayor, county attorney, city council, warden, sheriff, etc.

(7) "Field training" means instruction, training, or skill practice rendered to an officer by another officer or officers on a tutorial basis during a tour of duty while performing the normal activities of that officer's employment.

(8) "Hearing examiner" means the chair or the council's designated representative, who regulates the course of a contested case proceeding or other hearing held by the council, pursuant to 2-4-611, MCA and these rules. Powers of a presiding officer are the same as those of a hearing examiner.

(9) "In-service training" means training provided within a law enforcement and/or public safety agency to review and develop skills and knowledge for the specific agency's needs.

(10) "Informal proceeding" means a proceeding that occurs before a MAPA contested case proceeding and includes but is not limited to: correspondence between POST and the officer accused of misconduct and his employing authority; investigation by POST; stipulation or settlement negotiations or agreement; or a sanction, suspension, or revocation imposed through a notice of agency action.

(11) "MAPA" means the Montana Administrative Procedure Act, Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, MCA.

(12) "Misconduct" means any action or conduct that could potentially result in sanction, suspension, or revocation of POST certification pursuant to ARM 23.13.702 or a violation of the code of ethics contained in ARM 23.13.203.

(13) "MLEA" or "Academy" means the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.

(14) "Notice of agency action" means the document that:

(a) gives an officer the notice required under 2-4-601, MCA;

(b) informs the officer of the suspension, revocation, or sanction imposed by the POST director and the supporting reasons;

(c) initiates the 30-day time period in which an officer may request a hearing and thus initiate a contested case proceeding under MAPA.

(15) "Party" means one side, or its representative, in an informal or contested case proceeding, usually the respondent and/or POST.

(16) "POST-approved training" means training reviewed and approved by the director or council for which POST gives training credit, including but not limited to basic, regional, and professional courses.

(17) "Presiding officer" means the chair of the council who holds all the same powers as a hearing examiner for the purpose of contested cases.

(18) "Public safety officer" means an officer, as defined in 44-4-401, MCA. Nothing in these rules may be construed to apply the requirements of 7-32-303(5), (8) or 44-4-403, MCA to an elected official.

(19) "Respondent" means the public safety officer against whom an allegation of misconduct has been made, or the officer's legal representative.

(20) "Revocation" means the permanent cancellation by the council of a public safety officer's POST certificate, certification, and certifiability such that the performance of public safety officer duties is no longer permitted.

(21) "Roll call training" means instruction or training of short duration, less than two hours, within any law enforcement and/or any public safety agency, conducted when officers change shifts.

(22) "Sanction" means a consequence or punishment for a violation of ARM 23.13.702, 23.13.203, or the laws or rules of Montana.

(23) "Suspension" means the annulment, for a time period set by the director or council, of a public safety officer's POST certificate, certification, and certifiability, such that the performance of public safety or peace officer duties is not permitted during that period of time.